Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

A disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.
The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions.
Symptoms may include nightmares or unwanted memories of the trauma, avoidance of situations that bring back memories of the trauma, heightened reactions, anxiety, or depressed mood.
Treatment includes different types of trauma-focused psychotherapy as well as medications to manage symptoms.

 

Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW173
Diagnosis: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
US Patients: 3.5% in a given year; 3.9% over a life-time;
World Patients: Much higher where wars have occurred.
Sex Ratio: M;W+. After rape, about 19% develop PTSD
Age Onset: less likel to develop PTSD if traumatic event occurs before age 10;
Brain Area: women with smaller hippocampi; more norepinephrine; brain shrinkage, but hyperactive amygdala.
Symptoms: after a traumatic event, thoughts, dreams, mental or physical distress, changes in thought, increased fight-flight, self-harm, suicide
Progression: intrusive, recurrent recollections, flashbacks, and nightmares; depression, anxiety and mood disordersl drug or alcohol abuse
Causes: previous rape or child abuse; war, refugee status; death of a loved one; cancer, heart attack, stroke;child in chronic illness’s parents
Medications: antidepresssants and SSRI’s help 50%;
Therapies: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing helped 50% in children and adolescents.

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